Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Bush on Democracy; Holocaust Memorial; Partying President

Aired May 10, 2005 - 05:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, he's on former Soviet land, but President Bush is talking freedom.
Plus, a permanent reminder of the worst chapter in Germany's history. We'll take you to Berlin.

And beefing up American troops. They're getting a new weapon to battle their appetite.

It is Tuesday, May 10. This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you. From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

"Now in the News," we are awaiting a speech from President Bush in just under a half-hour. He's in the former Soviet republic of Georgia and is the first U.S. president to visit there. We'll have a live report straight ahead.

The alleged courthouse shooter back in court. Brian Nichols faces an initial hearing in Atlanta this afternoon. Nichols is accused in a March rampage that left four people dead, including a judge. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty.

It could bring you a more accurate weather forecast. A new weather satellite will be launched early tomorrow from California. Officials hope it will improve forecasting and keep better track of global climate changes.

But who needs equipment when we have Rob Marciano?

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Oh, we'll take all the satellites we can. That's good stuff.

There's a bunch of satellites -- or there's a system going out that's going to be -- it's going to be good. In about -- in about 10 years, we're going to be talking to all different systems around...

COSTELLO: Ten years?

MARCIANO: Well, it takes a while to set this kind of -- we're going to be talking with -- dealing with all -- all the countries. It's called GOB -- anyway, I'll tell you more about it as -- I have 10 years to tell you about it.

COSTELLO: OK.

MARCIANO: It's an acronym I forgot.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Looking forward to it. Thank you, Rob.

MARCIANO: OK. See you.

COSTELLO: A landmark visit to what was once Soviet territory. We kick off our coverage this morning with President Bush in the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

Just a couple of hours ago, he told reporters that the budding democracy has come a long way in a short time. We are waiting to hear more from the president, though.

In the meantime, let's take you straight to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and White House correspondent Dana Bash.

Good morning, Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

And you're right, the president is going to speak here likely in just a few minutes. And this is the last event of a five-day tour that the president has been traveling through Eastern Europe, talking about democracy, promoting democracy. And for somebody who has certainly made that not only the theme of this trip but wants to make it the theme of his second term, this is going to be, Carol, the ultimate grand finale. And the White House is trying to make sure of that.

I'm going to take you and show you what you're going to see and the scene here.

First of all, if you look over here, this is the stage. This is a stage designed by the White House. It's sort of campaign stage meets inaugural stage, if you will. And that is certainly the feel here. Maybe you can mix in a little bit of a rock 'n' roll concert.

I'll take you over here. And look at this crowd.

This is Freedom Square. This is the site of the so-called Rose Revolution that came in 18 months ago that brought in the kind of democracy that President Bush is going to try to talk about, and to try to say it should be an inspiration.

This is a crowd that the Georgian president says he thinks could get up to 150,000, the largest they have seen in this country, certainly, as you said, because they are very fond of President Bush and he is the first American president to be here. President Bush previewed the speech that he will give shortly earlier today, talking about the fact that he does hope that this country is an example and an inspiration for the region and for the world.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Rose Revolution was a powerful moment in modern history. It not only inspired the people of Georgia, it inspired others around the world that want to live in a free society.

I think if people look back at this moment in history and be -- and marvel at the courage of people who have said, "I want generations to grow up in a hopeful world"...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, this is obviously a former Soviet state. This is, again, President Bush's last stop.

His first stop on this five-day trip was to Latvia, another former Soviet state. So he book-ended his visit to Moscow -- that was yesterday -- to pay tribute to the end of World War II, the anniversary there. And that is an itinerary that really has irritated Russia.

The leader here, President Saakashvili, a 37-year-old American- born leader, is still very much in a tug-of-war with Russia over the fact that they do feel here that they want to be independent. In fact, this president of Georgia did not attend yesterday's ceremonies in Moscow because he was protesting the fact that Russia still has Soviet-era military bases on its territory. And he said -- he told some of us last night that he felt that he couldn't go for political reasons, even in his own country.

Now, Carol, you hear the national anthem starting behind me. It's likely that President Bush will be speaking very shortly.

Let me toss it back to you.

(SINGING)

COSTELLO: Oh my -- oh my goodness.

I'm telling you, Dana Bash, this brings tears to your eyes, seeing the American flag displayed amongst those crowd of people in a former Soviet republic, seeing the choir there standing in the formation of the American flag, and hearing "The Star-Spangled Banner" like that, awaiting an American president here with all of this love and support for him (ph).

BASH: That's right. And this is really -- you know, I should tell you, Carol, that President Bush, it's been interesting to watch the way he's approached this trip. Because he came in to Latvia with some tough words for President Putin in Russia. But once he got to Russia, he was very careful to really make his public comments, his public appearances as friendly as possible.

Now that he's here, he is also going to talk about freedom. So it's almost as if President Bush is just by the fact that he's using his itinerary to come to places like this, and by his words and actions, and by these images of trying to send a message to President Putin that he should not be fearful of democracy at his order, and he should (INAUDIBLE) President Bush is hoping will be an image that will be a theme, the major theme of his presidency...

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: OK, Dana. Dana, it's very difficult to hear you because the crowd noise is so very loud behind you.

While we have a lull in the action here, when is the president expected to speak? And where is he going to be amidst all these people?

BASH: Well, I can show you if you look behind me -- first of all, the answer to your question of when is, we are expecting him shortly. We're not exactly sure. He could be here at any minute.

But again, I can -- I can point behind me. If you can see, there is a stage there. As I mentioned, it's sort of -- it feels like a campaign crowd, but it almost looks like the setup for an inaugural address, if you will.

He's got a stage there will he will speak. And behind him, I'm not sure if you can see, but there are flags of Georgia and the American flag. And they're essentially made out of people, people wearing clothes to make those -- the images of the flags.

So this is a very carefully-crafted set, very carefully-crafted image for what President Bush hopes will, again, send a message that he is promoting freedom. Also, Carol, to perhaps contrast what we saw yesterday, which is the president standing in Red Square watching Soviet-era tanks and even troops go by at the steps of Lenin's tomb.

COSTELLO: Fascinating. When the president begins speaking we'll get back to you in Tbilisi, Georgia. Dana Bash reporting live for us this morning.

Thank you for those incredible images.

In news "Across America" this morning, an almost unimaginable crime in Zion, Illinois, just north of Chicago. Two girls, one eight, the other nine, were found stabbed to death in a city park. The grandmother of one says the two friends may have ridden their bikes to the park for a Sunday afternoon picnic.

In Philadelphia, guilty, 27 times guilty. Former Philadelphia treasurer Corey Kemp is convicted on 27 counts on fraud and conspiracy. A jury found he took thousands of dollars in free gifts and cash from people seeking city contracts. The maximum prison sentence for all of those counts, 800 years.

You know the story of the Baptist church pastor in Waynesville, North Carolina. He kicked out some church members who voted for John Kerry. Well, now an Internet campaign suggests a boycott of Waynesville.

That's got some businesses concerned. They're just getting over hurricane damage from last fall.

And meet one very, very lucky Phoenix firefighter. Chris Hertzog purchased 100 $1 quick pick tickets for Saturday's Kentucky Derby. And guess what? The ticket was a big winner. But Hertzog had misplaced the ticket.

Fortunately, the woman who sold him the ticket found it beside her ticket machine. He'd left it there.

How much did he win? More than $860,000. That would be $605,000 after taxes. Wow.

All right. Time for our e-mail segment.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the president of the United States and the first man, it sounds strange, doesn't it? ABC plans to air a drama depicting the challenges of being the first female president. Geena Davis will be the star of this TV drama.

The thought of such a show intrigued us, especially after reading a line in a joke line editorial in "TIME" magazine. Listen to what he says about a possible Hillary Clinton run and a possible woman president.

I quote from his editorial. He says, "Any woman running for president will face a toughness conundrum. She will constantly have to prove her strength and be careful about showing her emotions. It will take a brilliant politician to create a credible feminine presidential style."

Oh, come on. Britain had Margaret Thatcher. India had Indira Gandhi. Pakistan had Benazir Bhutto.

Isn't it time -- is there really a conundrum here? We want to know -- Rob.

MARCIANO: Hi, Carol.

COSTELLO: You have to be careful what you say, because I'm fighting mad.

MARCIANO: I know. All I'll say is, it was Geena Davis is starring in that -- in that role? I prefer Geena Gerson (ph) personally.

COSTELLO: Pardon? What did...

MARCIANO: I prefer Geena Gerson (ph).

COSTELLO: OK. Well, you safely said enough.

(LAUGHTER)

MARCIANO: We'll talk more. We'll let our viewers do the talking. How does that sound?

COSTELLO: I think that sounds great.

Ms. President. Is the world ready for a female U.S. president? Hasn't the time come? And I'm not necessarily talking about Hillary Clinton. You know that. I want to keep that stuff out of it.

I just want to know what you think. Are we ready to elect a woman president in this country? And, if so, why aren't we?

DAYBREAK@CNN.com. That's DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

Coming up, Audioslave rocks it out in Havana, and we have front row seats. We'll take you along.

Plus, Germany prepares to honor and remember those murdered by the Nazis. We'll take you live to Berlin later this hour.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The international markets mixed this morning. Tokyo's Nikkei down nearly 12 points. The London FTSE up around 13 points. The German DAX is up just about 8.5 points.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:16 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

Just minutes from now, President Bush speaks in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. That's the leader of Georgia speaking right now. The president is beside him right now. When the president begins speaking at that podium, of course we'll take you live, back to the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

A city park in Zion, Illinois, becomes a scene of horror. The bodies of two young girls are found there, both stabbed to death. Police say they have no solid leads.

In money news, just call me Chevron. Well, not me, actually, but the oil company. ChevronTexaco has shortened its name just to Chevron. That's the name it had before it bought rival Texaco. Chevron says it wants to cut down on confusion.

In culture, put this in "Bridget Jones'" diary. Actress Renee Zellweger and country music star Kenny Chesney have gotten married in the Virgin Islands. It is the first marriage for both.

In sports, Detroit is up 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Pistons beat the Indiana Pacers 96-81 and all was peaceful there, Rob.

MARCIANO: Yes, it was, huh? No fights. Security was top notch. No problems.

COSTELLO: You've got it.

MARCIANO: All right. Only four or seven more games to go.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: All right. Thank you, Rob.

That's a look at the latest headlines this morning.

About two-and-a-half hours from now, Germany will open a memorial to the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis. It comes 60 years after the end of World War II in Europe.

Our Berlin bureau chief, Chris Burns, joins us live now from the sprawling monument in the German capital.

And I see it's raining there, Chris. Good morning.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN BERLIN BUREAU CHIEF: Yes. Perhaps appropriately so.

Quite a moving situation today. Two football fields' worth of these cement blocks, 2,700 of them, representing the six million Jews killed by the Nazi regime. And if you put this in historical perspective, this sits on the former death strip of the Berlin Wall where the East German guards used to shoot to kill here.

Also, under this is where Mr. Goebbels, the propaganda minister of the Nazi regime, his bunker was under this. And not far from here was Hitler's bunker.

So quite a moving scene here.

The architect of this project, Peter Eisenman, who's a New York -- a Jewish New York architect, he says this was absolutely necessary, even though there were arguments that, well, we shouldn't just be honoring Jews here, we should be also honoring the other victims of the Nazi regime. He said it's very fitting because they, the Jews, were singled out for extermination.

Also, some debate about whether there should have been a special chemical against graffiti put on these blocks here. He was arguing against it.

He was saying that the graffiti artists should come here and put what they think on it, even if sometimes it might be anti-Semitic as well. Quite an interesting aspect of that.

He's also saying that perhaps roller skaters and skate boarders could come here. He wants it to be a living monument. Not just a monument to those who died, but also a monument for those Germans to think about what had happened and to live with this memory, and live with this memory on a day-to-day basis.

Obviously here, right across the street from this construction site, are the U.S. embassy, across -- two blocks away from the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. This is smack in the middle of the heart of Berlin and the heart of Germany -- Carol. COSTELLO: Chris Burns reporting live for us this morning. Thank you.

BURNS: Thank you.

COSTELLO: You are watching DAYBREAK for a Tuesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: You are looking at live pictures from Tbilisi, Georgia, the former Soviet republic. That's the leader of Georgia speaking right now.

Beside him is President Bush. We are awaiting comments from him this morning. And if the shot would widen out, which it probably will not -- but there are literally thousands and thousands and thousands of people awaiting to hear the words of George Bush. When the president begins speaking, we'll take you back to Georgia live.

We have been telling you about President Bush in the former Soviet republic of Georgia all morning long. What you don't know is that the president just isn't practicing his diplomatic skills, he's also been trying out some dance moves.

CNN's Jeanne Moos takes a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Elvis he's not, but President Bush was bobbing and clapping and, yes, even swiveling his hips. It was a performance by traditional Georgian dancers in Tbilisi that inspired the president, including a 6-year-old dancer. Who wouldn't bop to that? The boy got to meet the president, who was groovin' and movin' all the way to his limo.

All this shaking going on got us thinking about the president's moves. Usually he doesn't like to dance all night. After all, this is the guy who twirled his daughter and almost provoked a wardrobe malfunction.

Anyone who's ever had to dance with all eyes upon him or her can sympathize. We've seen President Bush do the inaugural shuffle while watching the parade. We've seen Ricky Martin drag him on stage. We've seen him get down to country music.

But you can check out some of the president's very best moves at DancingBush.com. Dancing Bush gets as suggestive as -- well, as a Texas cheerleader. And if occasionally the president isn't clapping quite in sync, hey, at least he's a lot more presidential than Boris Yeltsin, who danced like Rocky jabs. Is this supposed to be the twist or the hokey pokey?

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COSTELLO: You know, instead of our regular "Late Night Laughs" segment, this morning we bring you "Jeopardy." Because as you know, Rob...

MARCIANO: Aren't we a subject on "Jeopardy?" Is it all this week?

COSTELLO: We are. All week long, it's CNN week on "Jeopardy." Watch the CNN category here and see if you can answer the questions before the contestants do.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: CNN, 1200.

ALEX TREBEK, HOST, "JEOPARDY": Take a look.

NANCY GRACE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi. I'm Nancy Grace, with CNN Headline News. As a former Fulton County prosecutor, I went to the scene in this city to cover the deadly shootings in the same courtroom where I prosecuted felony cases.

TREBEK: Michael.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is Atlanta?

TREBEK: Right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: CNN, 1600.

TREBEK: Take a look. The Bay area was hit by the quake whose aftermath is seen here, named for this mountain near the epicenter -- Steve.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is Loma Prieta?

TREBEK: That's it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: CNN for 400.

TREBEK: This area was a toxic dump for over a decade before it was developed for homes and a school -- Brad.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is Love Canal?

TREBEK: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: CNN, 800.

TREBEK: A jury verdict handed down in this California valley city sparked the devastation seen here in Los Angeles, more than 30 miles away -- Michael.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is Simi Valley?

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: How'd you do?

MARCIANO: Not too good. Not too well.

COSTELLO: I got them all but one.

MARCIANO: Yes?

COSTELLO: You need to watch more of CNN.

MARCIANO: Apparently I've learned my lesson. And maybe the last 20 years I should be watching.

COSTELLO: By the way, "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek will be a guest on "AMERICAN MORNING."

MARCIANO: Oh, col.

COSTELLO: And, of course, that's -- yes. That starts about an hour and a half from now.

Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener."

We start with an age-old riddle. Why did the chicken cross the road? Because it did not know jaywalking is illegal in Johannesburg, California. Stay with us here.

Link and Helena Moore (ph) were issued a ticket last month for impeding traffic. It says one of their chickens -- well, the chicken is the culprit, so cuff them. The Moores (ph) pleaded not guilty. The trial is set for Monday. I wonder if we'll see this one on "Court TV" or on "NANCY GRACE."

For those of you who love cute, cuddly things, a couple of cheetah cubs born April 23 at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park -- oh, we have to talk about the cheetah story a little later because President Bush has begun speaking in Tbilisi, Georgia, the former Soviet republic.

You see the tens of thousands of people waiting for his remarks. Let's listen to the president.

BUSH: Citizens of free Georgia, Laura and I were in the neighborhood. We thought we'd swing by and say (SPEAKING RUSSIAN).

(APPLAUSE)

I am proud to stand beside a president who has shown such spirit, determination and leadership in the cause of freedom.

(APPLAUSE)

And Laura and I are proud to stand with the courageous people of Georgia in this place that has earned a proud name, Freedom Square.

(APPLAUSE) When Georgians gathered here 16 years ago, this square had a different name. Under Lenin's steely gaze, thousands of Georgians prayed and sang and demanded their independence. The Soviet army crushed that day of protest, but they could not crush the spirit of the Georgian people.

The following year, Georgians returned to this square and pulled down the statue of Lenin. And on April 9, 1991, you declared to the world that Soviet Georgia was no more and that the independent nation of Georgia was born.

On that historic day, you reclaimed your sovereignty, but the hopeful start you made was not fulfilled. So 18 months ago, Georgians returned to this square to complete the task you began in 1989. You gathered here, armed with nothing but roses and the power of your convictions, and you claimed your liberty. And because you acted, Georgia is today both sovereign and free and a beacon of liberty for this region and the world.

The path of freedom you have chosen is not easy, but you will not travel it alone. Americans respect your courageous choice for liberty. And as you build a free and democratic Georgia, the American people will stand with you.

You are building a free future for your children and grandchildren, and you are helping other nations to do the same. When the Afghan people defied terrorists to vote in that nation's first free presidential elections, Georgian soldiers were there to provide security.

And last year when terrorist violence in Iraq was escalating, Georgia showed her courage. You increased your troop commitment in Iraq fivefold. The Iraqi people are grateful, and so are your American and coalition allies.

You are making many important contributions to freedom's cause, but your most important contribution is your example. In recent months, the world has marveled at the hopeful changes taking place from Baghdad, to Beirut, to Bisquet (ph). But before there was a Purple Revolution in Iraq, or an Orange Revolution in Ukraine, or a Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, there was the Rose Revolution in Georgia.

Your courage is inspiring democratic reformers and sending a message that echoes across the world, freedom will be the future of every nation and every people on earth.

Building a free society is the work of generations. It took nearly 15 years of struggle before liberty and justice fully took root in this country. Many of the students and workers who gathered here on this square 18 months ago were too young to remember the protests of 1989, but they took up freedom's cause and finished the work that their parents had begun.

Now across the caucuses in Central Asia and the broader Middle East, we see this same desire for liberty burning in the hearts of young people. They are demanding their freedom and they will have it. As free nations, the United States and Georgia have great responsibilities, and together we will do our duty. Free societies are peaceful societies. And by extending liberty to millions who have not known it, we will advance the cause of freedom and we will advance the cause of peace.

In this global struggle for liberty, our duties begin at home. While peaceful revolutions can bring down repressive regimes, the real changes, the real challenge is to build up free institutions in their place. This is difficult work, and you are undertaking it with dignity and determination.

You have taken tough steps to reform your economy and to crack down on corruption. You are building a democratic society where the rights of minorities are respected, where a free press flourishes, a vigorous opposition is welcome and unity is achieved through peace. In this new Georgia, the rule of law will prevail and freedom will be the birthright of every citizen.

This was the dream of your late Prime Minister Zhvania, who once said it is not by mere chance that we have adopted two very important ideas as our watchwords, freedom and responsibility. Today we pay tribute to this Georgian patriot who became a great leader of the global democratic revolution. In building a free and responsible society, you honor his memory and you carry on his legacy.

As you build free institutions at home, the ties that bind our nations will grow deeper as well. We respect Georgia's desire to join the institutions of Europe. We encourage your closer cooperation with NATO. Georgia's leaders know that the peaceful resolution of conflicts is essential to your integration into the transatlantic community. At the same time, the (INAUDIBLE) and territorial integrity of Georgia must be respected. The territorial and sovereignty of Georgia must be respected by all nations.

We're living in historic times, when freedom is advancing from the Black Sea, to the Caspian, to the Persian Gulf and beyond. As you watch free people gathering in squares like this across the world, waving their nation's flags and demanding their God-given rights, you can take pride in this fact, they have been inspired by your example and they take hope in your success.

As you build freedom in this country, you must know that seeds of liberty you are planting in Georgian soil are flowering across the globe.

I have come here to thank you for your courage. The American people value your friendship and admire your determination. On behalf of all Americans, thank you. God bless you.

(APPLAUSE)

CAROL COSTELLO: All right, you've been listening to President Bush speaking in Tbilisi, Georgia, the former Soviet Republic, talking about freedom, and also thanking the Georgian people for sending troops -- for its troops in Iraq. And in case you didn't know, Georgia sent less than 1,000 troops to Iraq.

We're going to take a short break now. We'll be back with more on DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Some "Entertainment Headlines" for you this morning.

Monty Python's "Spamalot" wins big at the 46th Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards. Got the best Broadway musical and best costume design. Plus, its director won for his work. And leading lady Sara Ramirez won best featured actress in a musical. Theater journalists pick the winners.

K.C. of K.C. and the Sunshine Band is recovering from a major fall. Wayne Casey fell headfirst off a six-foot high stage just as the band started performing "Boogie Shoes" in Phoenix. He suffered a sprained knee and a cut over his eye, and he joked that he picked the wrong pair of boogie shoes.

And a legendary Disney artist who designed the queen witch in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" has died of a heart attack in Los Angels. The Walt Disney Company says Joe Grant died doing what he loved most, drawing. He was 96 years old.

And Cuba has been rocked like never before by the U.S. band Audioslave.

Our Havana bureau chief Lucia Newman brings us the sights and sounds.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN HAVANA BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): It was the scene never seen in 46 years of Cuban revolution, never before had an American rock group performed in an open air concert here. The super group Audioslave playing at Havana's Anti-Imperialist Tribunal, a venue normally reserved to denounce rather than delight in things American.

The name didn't seem to matter to Audioslave.

TOM MORELLO, GUITARIST: Music can transcend politics. And that this trip is absolute proof of that.

NEWMAN: Lovers of rock music, which is often frowned on by the communist government here, were beside themselves.

Wow, this is super. I never thought I'd see this. I feel hyper, said this 17-year-old student.

Audioslave interrupted the U.S. promotional tour of its upcoming album, "Out of Exile," to come to Cuba, a trip which both Cuban and American authorities were reluctant to approve.

CHRIS CORNELL, VOCALS: It's difficult enough that you know we weren't sure until the last second if we were going to come or not.

NEWMAN: Audioslave didn't just play, they were played to by students at Havana's Music Conservatory.

Audioslave's members are often considered social activists. Yet in Cuba, they went out of their way to keep politics out of the mix, preferring instead to concentrate on what they do best.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was very important for us that the concert be a free concert so that everyone could enjoy, everyone in Cuba who wanted to come could enjoy the music.

NEWMAN (on camera): Havana's Anti-Imperialist Tribunal, which directly faces the U.S. diplomatic mission here, still seems to be reeling from this weekend's concert. A unique experience for thousands of Cubans who got a taste of what things might be like if relations between the United States and their country ever become normal.

Lucia Newman, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: All right, now an update for you. Remember the big salami drop? Well the salamis have arrived in Tikrit, Iraq, and we have the pictures to prove it. I don't know if you remember, we told this story last week.

Rob, do you remember the salami drop story?

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I don't.

COSTELLO: It was this fabulous story. Deli owners Marc and Michael Brummer decided to send some salamis to the troops in Tikrit. There you see the troops receiving their salamis. They sent 23,000 salamis over to Iraq. In fact, Michael Brummer, one of the deli owners, got a letter from the executive officer of the 42nd Infantry Division.

Lt. Col. John Nunn says, "The salamis came in yesterday, about 50 boxes in my unit. We began distributing the salami to the soldiers. And at this pint, you can walk almost anywhere and have a piece of salami. The mustard is also a big hit. I can not thank you enough."

And another message from Lt. Col. Nunn, "We're working on a distribution plan to move the salami to other camps, that takes coordination as the roads are very dangerous. Thanks, this has the whole 6,000 plus base talking."

And we put up a Web site after we did the story on CNN, and they had so many contributions to this deli in New Jersey to send these salamis to Iraq. And apparently it's a big success.

MARCIANO: There is nothing like a good salami from, you know, that part of the world.

COSTELLO: Well we're glad we could do a little something to make the troops happy over there and to make life a little more bearable.

MARCIANO: Well that does look -- look at that, Carol. That looks good.

COSTELLO: That's them packing up the salami at the distribution center -- Rob.

MARCIANO: I'm getting hungry. Maybe a little slice of provolone with that sounds good.

COSTELLO: It does indeed.

In the next hour of DAYBREAK, want to quit your job? You certainly are not alone. We'll tell you how to leave your job with grace and a handful of recommendations, too.

DAYBREAK continues after a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: We told you way earlier in the show that ABC plans to have this new drama on television. It depicts a woman president facing the challenges of being a female in office. So we were wondering this morning, Ms. President: is the world ready for a female U.S. president? And you have responded in droves.

Take it away, Rob. You got any?

MARCIANO: I got one, and I'm going to be rude and turn my back on you, because I didn't print it out.

COSTELLO: That's OK.

MARCIANO: OK. A female president is great. That would help mankind move forward. How much people around the world would love and hate the U.S. And I guess the main point of that e-mail is that with all the PR problems that we're having around the world, it could only help.

COSTELLO: Women are better talkers. A lot of people have been saying this.

This is from Carolyn (ph). She says there are fewer things that would make me happier than to see Condi and Hillary face off in 2008. The time has come for a female president, and it would make for an historic election. I already have my Condi versus Hillary T-shirt.

Love that, Carolyn.

This is from Dennis (ph). He says women for president, absolutely. As much as I may dislike the female's inability to make a firm decision, it is much better than making the wrong decision and dogively (ph) sticking to it, trying to convince the country you are right when the whole world is telling you that you are wrong.

And this one from Phillip (ph). He says I think that it is highly unlikely that there would be a first United States female president. There are way too many people who think that a woman president would be soft on things like homeland security and combating terrorism in general. I prefer having a female president. I believe that they can do a better job of handling the concerns of our nation.

So we're getting a lot with positive and negative comments in the same e-mail. We're going to be talking a lot more about this in the next hour of DAYBREAK. In fact, we'll have a guest on and I'm going to pose your thoughts to her to see what she has to say.

Thanks for your e-mails this morning. I wish we had time for more, but I'll get to them in the 6:00 hour, which, by the way, begins right now.

Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, a terrifying sight for parents. Is your child's trip to school turning into a dangerous ride?

Also, some say the U.S. presidency needs a woman's touch, but which woman? We'll find out what you think.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired May 10, 2005 - 05:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, he's on former Soviet land, but President Bush is talking freedom.
Plus, a permanent reminder of the worst chapter in Germany's history. We'll take you to Berlin.

And beefing up American troops. They're getting a new weapon to battle their appetite.

It is Tuesday, May 10. This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you. From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

"Now in the News," we are awaiting a speech from President Bush in just under a half-hour. He's in the former Soviet republic of Georgia and is the first U.S. president to visit there. We'll have a live report straight ahead.

The alleged courthouse shooter back in court. Brian Nichols faces an initial hearing in Atlanta this afternoon. Nichols is accused in a March rampage that left four people dead, including a judge. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty.

It could bring you a more accurate weather forecast. A new weather satellite will be launched early tomorrow from California. Officials hope it will improve forecasting and keep better track of global climate changes.

But who needs equipment when we have Rob Marciano?

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Oh, we'll take all the satellites we can. That's good stuff.

There's a bunch of satellites -- or there's a system going out that's going to be -- it's going to be good. In about -- in about 10 years, we're going to be talking to all different systems around...

COSTELLO: Ten years?

MARCIANO: Well, it takes a while to set this kind of -- we're going to be talking with -- dealing with all -- all the countries. It's called GOB -- anyway, I'll tell you more about it as -- I have 10 years to tell you about it.

COSTELLO: OK.

MARCIANO: It's an acronym I forgot.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Looking forward to it. Thank you, Rob.

MARCIANO: OK. See you.

COSTELLO: A landmark visit to what was once Soviet territory. We kick off our coverage this morning with President Bush in the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

Just a couple of hours ago, he told reporters that the budding democracy has come a long way in a short time. We are waiting to hear more from the president, though.

In the meantime, let's take you straight to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and White House correspondent Dana Bash.

Good morning, Dana.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

And you're right, the president is going to speak here likely in just a few minutes. And this is the last event of a five-day tour that the president has been traveling through Eastern Europe, talking about democracy, promoting democracy. And for somebody who has certainly made that not only the theme of this trip but wants to make it the theme of his second term, this is going to be, Carol, the ultimate grand finale. And the White House is trying to make sure of that.

I'm going to take you and show you what you're going to see and the scene here.

First of all, if you look over here, this is the stage. This is a stage designed by the White House. It's sort of campaign stage meets inaugural stage, if you will. And that is certainly the feel here. Maybe you can mix in a little bit of a rock 'n' roll concert.

I'll take you over here. And look at this crowd.

This is Freedom Square. This is the site of the so-called Rose Revolution that came in 18 months ago that brought in the kind of democracy that President Bush is going to try to talk about, and to try to say it should be an inspiration.

This is a crowd that the Georgian president says he thinks could get up to 150,000, the largest they have seen in this country, certainly, as you said, because they are very fond of President Bush and he is the first American president to be here. President Bush previewed the speech that he will give shortly earlier today, talking about the fact that he does hope that this country is an example and an inspiration for the region and for the world.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Rose Revolution was a powerful moment in modern history. It not only inspired the people of Georgia, it inspired others around the world that want to live in a free society.

I think if people look back at this moment in history and be -- and marvel at the courage of people who have said, "I want generations to grow up in a hopeful world"...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now, this is obviously a former Soviet state. This is, again, President Bush's last stop.

His first stop on this five-day trip was to Latvia, another former Soviet state. So he book-ended his visit to Moscow -- that was yesterday -- to pay tribute to the end of World War II, the anniversary there. And that is an itinerary that really has irritated Russia.

The leader here, President Saakashvili, a 37-year-old American- born leader, is still very much in a tug-of-war with Russia over the fact that they do feel here that they want to be independent. In fact, this president of Georgia did not attend yesterday's ceremonies in Moscow because he was protesting the fact that Russia still has Soviet-era military bases on its territory. And he said -- he told some of us last night that he felt that he couldn't go for political reasons, even in his own country.

Now, Carol, you hear the national anthem starting behind me. It's likely that President Bush will be speaking very shortly.

Let me toss it back to you.

(SINGING)

COSTELLO: Oh my -- oh my goodness.

I'm telling you, Dana Bash, this brings tears to your eyes, seeing the American flag displayed amongst those crowd of people in a former Soviet republic, seeing the choir there standing in the formation of the American flag, and hearing "The Star-Spangled Banner" like that, awaiting an American president here with all of this love and support for him (ph).

BASH: That's right. And this is really -- you know, I should tell you, Carol, that President Bush, it's been interesting to watch the way he's approached this trip. Because he came in to Latvia with some tough words for President Putin in Russia. But once he got to Russia, he was very careful to really make his public comments, his public appearances as friendly as possible.

Now that he's here, he is also going to talk about freedom. So it's almost as if President Bush is just by the fact that he's using his itinerary to come to places like this, and by his words and actions, and by these images of trying to send a message to President Putin that he should not be fearful of democracy at his order, and he should (INAUDIBLE) President Bush is hoping will be an image that will be a theme, the major theme of his presidency...

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: OK, Dana. Dana, it's very difficult to hear you because the crowd noise is so very loud behind you.

While we have a lull in the action here, when is the president expected to speak? And where is he going to be amidst all these people?

BASH: Well, I can show you if you look behind me -- first of all, the answer to your question of when is, we are expecting him shortly. We're not exactly sure. He could be here at any minute.

But again, I can -- I can point behind me. If you can see, there is a stage there. As I mentioned, it's sort of -- it feels like a campaign crowd, but it almost looks like the setup for an inaugural address, if you will.

He's got a stage there will he will speak. And behind him, I'm not sure if you can see, but there are flags of Georgia and the American flag. And they're essentially made out of people, people wearing clothes to make those -- the images of the flags.

So this is a very carefully-crafted set, very carefully-crafted image for what President Bush hopes will, again, send a message that he is promoting freedom. Also, Carol, to perhaps contrast what we saw yesterday, which is the president standing in Red Square watching Soviet-era tanks and even troops go by at the steps of Lenin's tomb.

COSTELLO: Fascinating. When the president begins speaking we'll get back to you in Tbilisi, Georgia. Dana Bash reporting live for us this morning.

Thank you for those incredible images.

In news "Across America" this morning, an almost unimaginable crime in Zion, Illinois, just north of Chicago. Two girls, one eight, the other nine, were found stabbed to death in a city park. The grandmother of one says the two friends may have ridden their bikes to the park for a Sunday afternoon picnic.

In Philadelphia, guilty, 27 times guilty. Former Philadelphia treasurer Corey Kemp is convicted on 27 counts on fraud and conspiracy. A jury found he took thousands of dollars in free gifts and cash from people seeking city contracts. The maximum prison sentence for all of those counts, 800 years.

You know the story of the Baptist church pastor in Waynesville, North Carolina. He kicked out some church members who voted for John Kerry. Well, now an Internet campaign suggests a boycott of Waynesville.

That's got some businesses concerned. They're just getting over hurricane damage from last fall.

And meet one very, very lucky Phoenix firefighter. Chris Hertzog purchased 100 $1 quick pick tickets for Saturday's Kentucky Derby. And guess what? The ticket was a big winner. But Hertzog had misplaced the ticket.

Fortunately, the woman who sold him the ticket found it beside her ticket machine. He'd left it there.

How much did he win? More than $860,000. That would be $605,000 after taxes. Wow.

All right. Time for our e-mail segment.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the president of the United States and the first man, it sounds strange, doesn't it? ABC plans to air a drama depicting the challenges of being the first female president. Geena Davis will be the star of this TV drama.

The thought of such a show intrigued us, especially after reading a line in a joke line editorial in "TIME" magazine. Listen to what he says about a possible Hillary Clinton run and a possible woman president.

I quote from his editorial. He says, "Any woman running for president will face a toughness conundrum. She will constantly have to prove her strength and be careful about showing her emotions. It will take a brilliant politician to create a credible feminine presidential style."

Oh, come on. Britain had Margaret Thatcher. India had Indira Gandhi. Pakistan had Benazir Bhutto.

Isn't it time -- is there really a conundrum here? We want to know -- Rob.

MARCIANO: Hi, Carol.

COSTELLO: You have to be careful what you say, because I'm fighting mad.

MARCIANO: I know. All I'll say is, it was Geena Davis is starring in that -- in that role? I prefer Geena Gerson (ph) personally.

COSTELLO: Pardon? What did...

MARCIANO: I prefer Geena Gerson (ph).

COSTELLO: OK. Well, you safely said enough.

(LAUGHTER)

MARCIANO: We'll talk more. We'll let our viewers do the talking. How does that sound?

COSTELLO: I think that sounds great.

Ms. President. Is the world ready for a female U.S. president? Hasn't the time come? And I'm not necessarily talking about Hillary Clinton. You know that. I want to keep that stuff out of it.

I just want to know what you think. Are we ready to elect a woman president in this country? And, if so, why aren't we?

DAYBREAK@CNN.com. That's DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

Coming up, Audioslave rocks it out in Havana, and we have front row seats. We'll take you along.

Plus, Germany prepares to honor and remember those murdered by the Nazis. We'll take you live to Berlin later this hour.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The international markets mixed this morning. Tokyo's Nikkei down nearly 12 points. The London FTSE up around 13 points. The German DAX is up just about 8.5 points.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:16 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

Just minutes from now, President Bush speaks in the former Soviet republic of Georgia. That's the leader of Georgia speaking right now. The president is beside him right now. When the president begins speaking at that podium, of course we'll take you live, back to the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

A city park in Zion, Illinois, becomes a scene of horror. The bodies of two young girls are found there, both stabbed to death. Police say they have no solid leads.

In money news, just call me Chevron. Well, not me, actually, but the oil company. ChevronTexaco has shortened its name just to Chevron. That's the name it had before it bought rival Texaco. Chevron says it wants to cut down on confusion.

In culture, put this in "Bridget Jones'" diary. Actress Renee Zellweger and country music star Kenny Chesney have gotten married in the Virgin Islands. It is the first marriage for both.

In sports, Detroit is up 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Pistons beat the Indiana Pacers 96-81 and all was peaceful there, Rob.

MARCIANO: Yes, it was, huh? No fights. Security was top notch. No problems.

COSTELLO: You've got it.

MARCIANO: All right. Only four or seven more games to go.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: All right. Thank you, Rob.

That's a look at the latest headlines this morning.

About two-and-a-half hours from now, Germany will open a memorial to the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis. It comes 60 years after the end of World War II in Europe.

Our Berlin bureau chief, Chris Burns, joins us live now from the sprawling monument in the German capital.

And I see it's raining there, Chris. Good morning.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN BERLIN BUREAU CHIEF: Yes. Perhaps appropriately so.

Quite a moving situation today. Two football fields' worth of these cement blocks, 2,700 of them, representing the six million Jews killed by the Nazi regime. And if you put this in historical perspective, this sits on the former death strip of the Berlin Wall where the East German guards used to shoot to kill here.

Also, under this is where Mr. Goebbels, the propaganda minister of the Nazi regime, his bunker was under this. And not far from here was Hitler's bunker.

So quite a moving scene here.

The architect of this project, Peter Eisenman, who's a New York -- a Jewish New York architect, he says this was absolutely necessary, even though there were arguments that, well, we shouldn't just be honoring Jews here, we should be also honoring the other victims of the Nazi regime. He said it's very fitting because they, the Jews, were singled out for extermination.

Also, some debate about whether there should have been a special chemical against graffiti put on these blocks here. He was arguing against it.

He was saying that the graffiti artists should come here and put what they think on it, even if sometimes it might be anti-Semitic as well. Quite an interesting aspect of that.

He's also saying that perhaps roller skaters and skate boarders could come here. He wants it to be a living monument. Not just a monument to those who died, but also a monument for those Germans to think about what had happened and to live with this memory, and live with this memory on a day-to-day basis.

Obviously here, right across the street from this construction site, are the U.S. embassy, across -- two blocks away from the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. This is smack in the middle of the heart of Berlin and the heart of Germany -- Carol. COSTELLO: Chris Burns reporting live for us this morning. Thank you.

BURNS: Thank you.

COSTELLO: You are watching DAYBREAK for a Tuesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: You are looking at live pictures from Tbilisi, Georgia, the former Soviet republic. That's the leader of Georgia speaking right now.

Beside him is President Bush. We are awaiting comments from him this morning. And if the shot would widen out, which it probably will not -- but there are literally thousands and thousands and thousands of people awaiting to hear the words of George Bush. When the president begins speaking, we'll take you back to Georgia live.

We have been telling you about President Bush in the former Soviet republic of Georgia all morning long. What you don't know is that the president just isn't practicing his diplomatic skills, he's also been trying out some dance moves.

CNN's Jeanne Moos takes a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Elvis he's not, but President Bush was bobbing and clapping and, yes, even swiveling his hips. It was a performance by traditional Georgian dancers in Tbilisi that inspired the president, including a 6-year-old dancer. Who wouldn't bop to that? The boy got to meet the president, who was groovin' and movin' all the way to his limo.

All this shaking going on got us thinking about the president's moves. Usually he doesn't like to dance all night. After all, this is the guy who twirled his daughter and almost provoked a wardrobe malfunction.

Anyone who's ever had to dance with all eyes upon him or her can sympathize. We've seen President Bush do the inaugural shuffle while watching the parade. We've seen Ricky Martin drag him on stage. We've seen him get down to country music.

But you can check out some of the president's very best moves at DancingBush.com. Dancing Bush gets as suggestive as -- well, as a Texas cheerleader. And if occasionally the president isn't clapping quite in sync, hey, at least he's a lot more presidential than Boris Yeltsin, who danced like Rocky jabs. Is this supposed to be the twist or the hokey pokey?

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE) COSTELLO: You know, instead of our regular "Late Night Laughs" segment, this morning we bring you "Jeopardy." Because as you know, Rob...

MARCIANO: Aren't we a subject on "Jeopardy?" Is it all this week?

COSTELLO: We are. All week long, it's CNN week on "Jeopardy." Watch the CNN category here and see if you can answer the questions before the contestants do.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: CNN, 1200.

ALEX TREBEK, HOST, "JEOPARDY": Take a look.

NANCY GRACE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi. I'm Nancy Grace, with CNN Headline News. As a former Fulton County prosecutor, I went to the scene in this city to cover the deadly shootings in the same courtroom where I prosecuted felony cases.

TREBEK: Michael.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is Atlanta?

TREBEK: Right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: CNN, 1600.

TREBEK: Take a look. The Bay area was hit by the quake whose aftermath is seen here, named for this mountain near the epicenter -- Steve.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is Loma Prieta?

TREBEK: That's it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: CNN for 400.

TREBEK: This area was a toxic dump for over a decade before it was developed for homes and a school -- Brad.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is Love Canal?

TREBEK: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: CNN, 800.

TREBEK: A jury verdict handed down in this California valley city sparked the devastation seen here in Los Angeles, more than 30 miles away -- Michael.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is Simi Valley?

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: How'd you do?

MARCIANO: Not too good. Not too well.

COSTELLO: I got them all but one.

MARCIANO: Yes?

COSTELLO: You need to watch more of CNN.

MARCIANO: Apparently I've learned my lesson. And maybe the last 20 years I should be watching.

COSTELLO: By the way, "Jeopardy" host Alex Trebek will be a guest on "AMERICAN MORNING."

MARCIANO: Oh, col.

COSTELLO: And, of course, that's -- yes. That starts about an hour and a half from now.

Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener."

We start with an age-old riddle. Why did the chicken cross the road? Because it did not know jaywalking is illegal in Johannesburg, California. Stay with us here.

Link and Helena Moore (ph) were issued a ticket last month for impeding traffic. It says one of their chickens -- well, the chicken is the culprit, so cuff them. The Moores (ph) pleaded not guilty. The trial is set for Monday. I wonder if we'll see this one on "Court TV" or on "NANCY GRACE."

For those of you who love cute, cuddly things, a couple of cheetah cubs born April 23 at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park -- oh, we have to talk about the cheetah story a little later because President Bush has begun speaking in Tbilisi, Georgia, the former Soviet republic.

You see the tens of thousands of people waiting for his remarks. Let's listen to the president.

BUSH: Citizens of free Georgia, Laura and I were in the neighborhood. We thought we'd swing by and say (SPEAKING RUSSIAN).

(APPLAUSE)

I am proud to stand beside a president who has shown such spirit, determination and leadership in the cause of freedom.

(APPLAUSE)

And Laura and I are proud to stand with the courageous people of Georgia in this place that has earned a proud name, Freedom Square.

(APPLAUSE) When Georgians gathered here 16 years ago, this square had a different name. Under Lenin's steely gaze, thousands of Georgians prayed and sang and demanded their independence. The Soviet army crushed that day of protest, but they could not crush the spirit of the Georgian people.

The following year, Georgians returned to this square and pulled down the statue of Lenin. And on April 9, 1991, you declared to the world that Soviet Georgia was no more and that the independent nation of Georgia was born.

On that historic day, you reclaimed your sovereignty, but the hopeful start you made was not fulfilled. So 18 months ago, Georgians returned to this square to complete the task you began in 1989. You gathered here, armed with nothing but roses and the power of your convictions, and you claimed your liberty. And because you acted, Georgia is today both sovereign and free and a beacon of liberty for this region and the world.

The path of freedom you have chosen is not easy, but you will not travel it alone. Americans respect your courageous choice for liberty. And as you build a free and democratic Georgia, the American people will stand with you.

You are building a free future for your children and grandchildren, and you are helping other nations to do the same. When the Afghan people defied terrorists to vote in that nation's first free presidential elections, Georgian soldiers were there to provide security.

And last year when terrorist violence in Iraq was escalating, Georgia showed her courage. You increased your troop commitment in Iraq fivefold. The Iraqi people are grateful, and so are your American and coalition allies.

You are making many important contributions to freedom's cause, but your most important contribution is your example. In recent months, the world has marveled at the hopeful changes taking place from Baghdad, to Beirut, to Bisquet (ph). But before there was a Purple Revolution in Iraq, or an Orange Revolution in Ukraine, or a Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, there was the Rose Revolution in Georgia.

Your courage is inspiring democratic reformers and sending a message that echoes across the world, freedom will be the future of every nation and every people on earth.

Building a free society is the work of generations. It took nearly 15 years of struggle before liberty and justice fully took root in this country. Many of the students and workers who gathered here on this square 18 months ago were too young to remember the protests of 1989, but they took up freedom's cause and finished the work that their parents had begun.

Now across the caucuses in Central Asia and the broader Middle East, we see this same desire for liberty burning in the hearts of young people. They are demanding their freedom and they will have it. As free nations, the United States and Georgia have great responsibilities, and together we will do our duty. Free societies are peaceful societies. And by extending liberty to millions who have not known it, we will advance the cause of freedom and we will advance the cause of peace.

In this global struggle for liberty, our duties begin at home. While peaceful revolutions can bring down repressive regimes, the real changes, the real challenge is to build up free institutions in their place. This is difficult work, and you are undertaking it with dignity and determination.

You have taken tough steps to reform your economy and to crack down on corruption. You are building a democratic society where the rights of minorities are respected, where a free press flourishes, a vigorous opposition is welcome and unity is achieved through peace. In this new Georgia, the rule of law will prevail and freedom will be the birthright of every citizen.

This was the dream of your late Prime Minister Zhvania, who once said it is not by mere chance that we have adopted two very important ideas as our watchwords, freedom and responsibility. Today we pay tribute to this Georgian patriot who became a great leader of the global democratic revolution. In building a free and responsible society, you honor his memory and you carry on his legacy.

As you build free institutions at home, the ties that bind our nations will grow deeper as well. We respect Georgia's desire to join the institutions of Europe. We encourage your closer cooperation with NATO. Georgia's leaders know that the peaceful resolution of conflicts is essential to your integration into the transatlantic community. At the same time, the (INAUDIBLE) and territorial integrity of Georgia must be respected. The territorial and sovereignty of Georgia must be respected by all nations.

We're living in historic times, when freedom is advancing from the Black Sea, to the Caspian, to the Persian Gulf and beyond. As you watch free people gathering in squares like this across the world, waving their nation's flags and demanding their God-given rights, you can take pride in this fact, they have been inspired by your example and they take hope in your success.

As you build freedom in this country, you must know that seeds of liberty you are planting in Georgian soil are flowering across the globe.

I have come here to thank you for your courage. The American people value your friendship and admire your determination. On behalf of all Americans, thank you. God bless you.

(APPLAUSE)

CAROL COSTELLO: All right, you've been listening to President Bush speaking in Tbilisi, Georgia, the former Soviet Republic, talking about freedom, and also thanking the Georgian people for sending troops -- for its troops in Iraq. And in case you didn't know, Georgia sent less than 1,000 troops to Iraq.

We're going to take a short break now. We'll be back with more on DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Some "Entertainment Headlines" for you this morning.

Monty Python's "Spamalot" wins big at the 46th Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards. Got the best Broadway musical and best costume design. Plus, its director won for his work. And leading lady Sara Ramirez won best featured actress in a musical. Theater journalists pick the winners.

K.C. of K.C. and the Sunshine Band is recovering from a major fall. Wayne Casey fell headfirst off a six-foot high stage just as the band started performing "Boogie Shoes" in Phoenix. He suffered a sprained knee and a cut over his eye, and he joked that he picked the wrong pair of boogie shoes.

And a legendary Disney artist who designed the queen witch in "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" has died of a heart attack in Los Angels. The Walt Disney Company says Joe Grant died doing what he loved most, drawing. He was 96 years old.

And Cuba has been rocked like never before by the U.S. band Audioslave.

Our Havana bureau chief Lucia Newman brings us the sights and sounds.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LUCIA NEWMAN, CNN HAVANA BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): It was the scene never seen in 46 years of Cuban revolution, never before had an American rock group performed in an open air concert here. The super group Audioslave playing at Havana's Anti-Imperialist Tribunal, a venue normally reserved to denounce rather than delight in things American.

The name didn't seem to matter to Audioslave.

TOM MORELLO, GUITARIST: Music can transcend politics. And that this trip is absolute proof of that.

NEWMAN: Lovers of rock music, which is often frowned on by the communist government here, were beside themselves.

Wow, this is super. I never thought I'd see this. I feel hyper, said this 17-year-old student.

Audioslave interrupted the U.S. promotional tour of its upcoming album, "Out of Exile," to come to Cuba, a trip which both Cuban and American authorities were reluctant to approve.

CHRIS CORNELL, VOCALS: It's difficult enough that you know we weren't sure until the last second if we were going to come or not.

NEWMAN: Audioslave didn't just play, they were played to by students at Havana's Music Conservatory.

Audioslave's members are often considered social activists. Yet in Cuba, they went out of their way to keep politics out of the mix, preferring instead to concentrate on what they do best.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was very important for us that the concert be a free concert so that everyone could enjoy, everyone in Cuba who wanted to come could enjoy the music.

NEWMAN (on camera): Havana's Anti-Imperialist Tribunal, which directly faces the U.S. diplomatic mission here, still seems to be reeling from this weekend's concert. A unique experience for thousands of Cubans who got a taste of what things might be like if relations between the United States and their country ever become normal.

Lucia Newman, CNN, Havana.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: All right, now an update for you. Remember the big salami drop? Well the salamis have arrived in Tikrit, Iraq, and we have the pictures to prove it. I don't know if you remember, we told this story last week.

Rob, do you remember the salami drop story?

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I don't.

COSTELLO: It was this fabulous story. Deli owners Marc and Michael Brummer decided to send some salamis to the troops in Tikrit. There you see the troops receiving their salamis. They sent 23,000 salamis over to Iraq. In fact, Michael Brummer, one of the deli owners, got a letter from the executive officer of the 42nd Infantry Division.

Lt. Col. John Nunn says, "The salamis came in yesterday, about 50 boxes in my unit. We began distributing the salami to the soldiers. And at this pint, you can walk almost anywhere and have a piece of salami. The mustard is also a big hit. I can not thank you enough."

And another message from Lt. Col. Nunn, "We're working on a distribution plan to move the salami to other camps, that takes coordination as the roads are very dangerous. Thanks, this has the whole 6,000 plus base talking."

And we put up a Web site after we did the story on CNN, and they had so many contributions to this deli in New Jersey to send these salamis to Iraq. And apparently it's a big success.

MARCIANO: There is nothing like a good salami from, you know, that part of the world.

COSTELLO: Well we're glad we could do a little something to make the troops happy over there and to make life a little more bearable.

MARCIANO: Well that does look -- look at that, Carol. That looks good.

COSTELLO: That's them packing up the salami at the distribution center -- Rob.

MARCIANO: I'm getting hungry. Maybe a little slice of provolone with that sounds good.

COSTELLO: It does indeed.

In the next hour of DAYBREAK, want to quit your job? You certainly are not alone. We'll tell you how to leave your job with grace and a handful of recommendations, too.

DAYBREAK continues after a short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: We told you way earlier in the show that ABC plans to have this new drama on television. It depicts a woman president facing the challenges of being a female in office. So we were wondering this morning, Ms. President: is the world ready for a female U.S. president? And you have responded in droves.

Take it away, Rob. You got any?

MARCIANO: I got one, and I'm going to be rude and turn my back on you, because I didn't print it out.

COSTELLO: That's OK.

MARCIANO: OK. A female president is great. That would help mankind move forward. How much people around the world would love and hate the U.S. And I guess the main point of that e-mail is that with all the PR problems that we're having around the world, it could only help.

COSTELLO: Women are better talkers. A lot of people have been saying this.

This is from Carolyn (ph). She says there are fewer things that would make me happier than to see Condi and Hillary face off in 2008. The time has come for a female president, and it would make for an historic election. I already have my Condi versus Hillary T-shirt.

Love that, Carolyn.

This is from Dennis (ph). He says women for president, absolutely. As much as I may dislike the female's inability to make a firm decision, it is much better than making the wrong decision and dogively (ph) sticking to it, trying to convince the country you are right when the whole world is telling you that you are wrong.

And this one from Phillip (ph). He says I think that it is highly unlikely that there would be a first United States female president. There are way too many people who think that a woman president would be soft on things like homeland security and combating terrorism in general. I prefer having a female president. I believe that they can do a better job of handling the concerns of our nation.

So we're getting a lot with positive and negative comments in the same e-mail. We're going to be talking a lot more about this in the next hour of DAYBREAK. In fact, we'll have a guest on and I'm going to pose your thoughts to her to see what she has to say.

Thanks for your e-mails this morning. I wish we had time for more, but I'll get to them in the 6:00 hour, which, by the way, begins right now.

Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, a terrifying sight for parents. Is your child's trip to school turning into a dangerous ride?

Also, some say the U.S. presidency needs a woman's touch, but which woman? We'll find out what you think.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com